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Snow and Ice Control

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Snow season begins Labor Day and ends Memorial Day

City of Boulder snow crews work 24/7 to keep more than 300 miles of roads and multi-use paths clear and safe during snow and ice events. Here are some key things you can do to stay informed and be prepared for a snow event.

Need to travel during a snow event?

2018-2019 Snow Removal Program

Approximately 50 percent of streets and 98 percent of multi-use paths are regularly cleared by city snow crews, with the University of Colorado and other entities clearing portions of the path system. The city prioritizes emergency access routes, major arterial streets, and access to hospitals, schools, transit and critical infrastructure, as well as neighborhood streets with steep slopes. See the interactive snow route map for more information.

Snow and ice removal requests for streets that are not regularly plowed or for multi-use paths may be made through Inquire Boulder. The Transportation Maintenance team will inspect the area and will service depending on conditions and after prioritized streets and multi-use paths are cleared.

NWS predicts a temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit or below with precipitation predicted.

Make it clear within 24 hours: snow and ice removal guidelines for residents

Help make travel safe for everyone! City of Boulder property owners, landlords and tenants are required to remove snow and ice from theirsidewalks within 24 hours after snow stops falling. Failure to remove snow from sidewalks before the 24-hour deadline may result in fines and having to pay for a private snow removal contractor.

Stay safe

Be Aware of Accident Alerts

During an accident alert, the Boulder Police Department will not respond to vehicular accidents unless there are injuries or alcohol or drugs are involved. If you are in an accident during an alert and no one is injured, move the vehicles out of traffic. Drivers must exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, vehicle descriptions and license numbers. Record the date, time, and location of the accident before leaving the scene and then file a report with the Boulder Police Department within 24 hours.

Take Extra Care When Traveling

Whether traveling by car, bike, foot or bus, consider the following reminders:

Give snow plows and spreader trucks plenty of room to operate.

Allow for more stopping distance on icy or snowy roads when behind other vehicles, including snow plows and de-icing trucks. Loaded de-icing trucks weigh up to 54,000 pounds, drive slowly and have spinners that distribute materials across two lanes of traffic. Allow for adequate stopping distance and stay at least three to four car-lengths behind to avoid windshield damage.

Do not pass snow plows or de-icing trucks, which are both wider than one traffic lane. This will help you avoid potential accidents, windshield damage and limited visibility caused by flying snow and ice.

Consider other transportation options during snowstorms, which helps reduce the number of vehicles on the roadways and gives plow trucks more room to operate.

More Information

Depending on weather conditions, the snow crews may apply a granular and/or liquid de-icer to help reduce the buildup of snow and ice. Snow crews may also apply an anti-icer before a snow or ice storm to minimize icy road conditions. The city uses alternative de-icing materials instead of rock salt. The liquid de-icer is a magnesium chloride solution, a plant nutrient and soil stabilizer that is less corrosive than other de-icing products. The granular de-icer is made up of complex chlorides that dissolve over time.

The city strives to sweep all primary and secondary streets and on-street bike lanes within three days of the end of a snowstorm to pick up any surplus materials.

Generally, like other Front Range communities, the city does not usually plow side and residential streets since most snow usually melts within a day or two and because side and residential street plowing would significantly increase costs, impacting other high-priority services.

The city began its residential street plowing program during the 2014-2015 snow season, incorporating select streets that were prioritized based on an analysis of residential street slopes. When the forecast calls for eight or more inches of snow or three days of temperatures below freezing, the city deploys two trucks to plow residential streets in 10 predetermined areas with steep slopes or a lot of shade (see map). This residential street plowing program is funded from a 2013 voter-approved tax initiative that provides additional transportation funding from 2014 through 2030.​

After priority streets are cleared, snow crews will respond to requests for snow removal as conditions and availability allow. Emergency requests and requests from emergency personnel will be prioritized before other requests. For snow operations queries and requests, visit InquireBoulder or call Snow Dispatch at 303-413-7109 (operational 24/7 during snowstorms).

Note: The Boulder Creek Path is maintained by the Parks and Recreation Department and the section of the Broadway multi-use path between Regent Drive and University Avenue is maintained by the University of Colorado Facilities Management (303-492-5522.). All other multi-use paths are maintained by City of Boulder Transportation Maintenance or the adjacent property owner.